Knights' stalward brings innings to a close

SOUTH Launceston's all- time top run-scorer Mark Nutting is set to hang up the bat at the end of the NTCA season.

The 37-year-old, batting all-rounder, will go out as the Knights highest run- scorer and just a game or two off equalling the club's games record held by Robbie Knight.

In a distinguished career, Nutting has played 245 NTCA two-dayers scoring 8180 runs and 32 one-day games for 1040 runs - a career total of 277 matches for 9220 runs.

The club's previous highest run-scorer was Ron Thomas who made 8708 runs playing from 1931-54.

Knight, the games record holder, played 245 two-day matches (6599 runs), 49 one- day and Kookaburra Cup games (1146 runs) for a career total of 281 games and 7745 runs.

"It's an honour to be up amongst those stats," Nutting said.

"I have played the most NTCA games for the club by quite a bit - but when you take into consideration the statewide Kookaburra Cup competition I am probably going to fall one game short if we make the grand final.

"That's a bit of a disappointment but you don't play for those reasons - and it is nice to have some recognition for it as well.

"I have been at the club playing A-grade for about 22 years since starting in 1992-93, so it's a long time and sometimes you realise your time has come and that will most probably be at the end of this season."

Nutting's first year with the club coincided with Knight's last and he remembers batting with the club legend when he made his highest club score of 249.

The Scottsdale High assistant principal spent three seasons away from South playing with Lindisfarne in the TCA competition from 2000-01, attempting to break into the state team without success.

"Shane Watson played with Lindisfarne and Jamie Cox and I learnt a lot playing with them.

"I played a few second XI games but it was hard to break into the first XI with Jamie Cox and Dene Hills locked into the opening positions, which is where I was batting."

Nutting moved back to South Launceston for the 2003-04 season and was captain-coach of the club's premiership-winning team that season.

He played in his second A-grade flag with the club last season.

"I couldn't ever imagine playing for any other club in the NTCA," he said.

"South has treated me well and I've obviously had that loyalty to the club having come through the juniors in under-13s and under-15s."

His top score was 200 not out made against George Town.

"That was a pretty special day and I probably haven't hit the ball any cleaner than that - I made 200, off 195 balls that day, out of our total of 300."